🔗 Share this article

It all started in Scotland and this impressive streak persists. That memorable night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his last match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out right.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup participation, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime forward scored the first two goals and could have earned his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but when brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA might not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However officially at least, this present team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be theirs alone. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a single shot on target.

The total statistics showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a proper contact, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, then had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to celebrate round the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Yet it was not completely finished, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.